Feathering current wheel



J. M. NARSH. FEATHERING CURRENT WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED IIAII. I8,192|.

1,436,352. Patented Nov. 2l, 1922d 11 Fi 1- 2f A I7///////////////////,IIIIIIIIZ''///// vlatented Nov. 2l, 1922.

JOSEPH Id. NABSH, O'E' ST. LOUIS, MSSOURI.

FEATHERING CURRENT YVHEEL.

.Application led March 18, 1921. Serial No. 453,423.

To all 'w hom 'it may @0f/ccm Be it known that I, Josnrrr M. Nansrr, a

citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis andState of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Feathering CurrentWheel, of which the following is a specifica-tion.

rlhis invention relates to feathering current wheels.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned comprising novel means for controlling the mec-hanism thereofin order to obtain efficient operation.

In the drawings, in which l have shown a preferred embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. l is a plan view of my improved device.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the construction by whichparts of the operating mechanism obtain proper adjustment.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the bearing supports for an operatingdevice.

ln the form of my invention shown the device is adapted to be supportedwholly in the water and for this purpose floats or pontoons are providedto support the mechanism. Obviously, however, the mechanism :may beotherwise supported than by the use of the pontoons.

As shown, the mechanism is supported between a pair of pontoons 1 whichare united by frame connections 2 for holding the pontoons in properrelative positions. The generator mechanism in case the: same is tobesupported by the pontoons is mounted within a frame 3 capable of properadjustment between the pontoons. As shown, the frame 3 is movablevertically between the pontoons by means of an adjusting support 4. Thesupports 4 may be in the form of threaded rods or shafts rotativelymounted in threaded holes in the frame work 2 and engaging the frame 3,so that by turning the supports 4 properly the frame 3 may be raised orlowered in the water.

A vertical shaft 5 is journaled for rotation in the frame 3 andpreferably extends above the frame work 2. The portion of the shaft 5that is within the frame 3 is of polygonal construction preferablysquare in cross section so as to be capable of proper connection withthe actuators.

A number of the actuators are preferably mounted on the sha-ft 5 withinthe frame Each actuator consists of a pair of propellers or vanes 6extending in opposite directions 60 from a central uniting portion 7.The vanes or propellers 6 are arranged in planes at right angles to eachother so that when one vane or propeller of each pair is in a verticalplane, the other vane orV propeller of that pair is in horizontal plane.rlhe pairs of propellers are arranged so that they extend in variousdirections from the shaft, thereby at all times having a number of thepropellers in vertical planes while the others are in horizontal planes.

Devices are provided for controlling the vanes or propellers so that theliowing water will act against the propellers which are in vert-icalplanes and thereby turn the shaft 5, leaving the propellers which are inhorizontal planes free to move through the water in opposition to thecurrent as the device operates.

The body 7 of each pair of propeller vanes 80 is formed with arectangular hole 8 therethrough receiving the rectangular portion of theshaft 5. Slots 9 of the shape shown in Fig. 4 are provided to permit thepropeller vanes to turn to assume positions alternately in which thevanes are in vertical planes and horizontal planes, as stated. Thebodies 7 are spherical and are journaled for such operations uponbearing supports l0.

The frame 3 supports the arcuate guide 9@ members 11 against the rearends of which the propeller vanes 6 contact as they revolve with theshaft 5. By contact with the members il the propeller vanes are turnedtos horizontal positions turning the opposite propeller vanes tovertical position to be acted against by the current. ln this way theshaft 5 is continuously revolved, the propeller vanes being made toassume their different positions because of the presence of the members11.

The upper end of the shaft 5 may be equipped with a gear l2 in mesh witha gear 13 on a transmission shaft 14 lea-ding to a suitable source ofpower generation.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a device whichis of strong and economical construction, which is automaticallycontrolled in operation by the flowing current in which the machine is110 placed, and which does not readily become disarranged or broken. ldo not restrict gg v 1,435,352

myself to unessential features, but What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1S:-

1. A device of the character mentioned, comprising a supporting frame, avertical shaft journaled for rotation in said frame, spherical supportsengaging said shaft and being held from rotation 4around the shaft andbeing arranged to turn transversely of the aXis of the shaft through anare of about 900, and a pair of propellers carried by each of saidsupports and arranged in different planes whereby one of said propel-1ers Will be horizontal when the other is out of horizontal position.

2. A device of the character mentioned, comprising a supporting frame7 avertical shaft journaled for rotation in said frame, spherical supportsengaging said shaft and being held from rotation around the shaft andbeing arranged to turn transversely of the axis of the shaft through anarc of about 900, a pair of propellers carried by each of said supportsand arranged in different planes whereby one of said propellers will behorizontal When the other is out of horizontal position, and means forturning said propellers alternately to and from horizontal positions.

3. A device of the character described, Comprising a supporting frame,`a vertical shaft journaled for rotation in said frame,

spherical supports having holes through Which said shaft extends shapedto permit the supports to turn transversely of the axis of the shaftthrough an are of about 90"7 and to preventthe supports from turningaround the shaft, bearings holding said supports from axial movements onthe shaft, and a pair of propellers carried by each of said supportsarranged in different planes Whereby When one of said propellers on eachsupportis in horizontal position the other propeller on the same supportis out of horizontal position.

4A. A device of the character described, comprising a supporting frame,a vertical shaft journaled for rotation in said frame, sphericalsupports having holes through which said shaft extends shaped to permitthe supports to turn transversely of the axis of the Vshaft through anare of about 90o and to prevent the supports from turning around theshaft, bearings holding said supports from axial movements on the shaft,a pair of propellers carried by each of said supports arranged indifferent planes whereby when oneof said propellers on each support isin horizontal position the other propeller on the same support is out ofhorizontal position, and means for turningsaid propeilers to and fromhorizontal positions.

JOSEPH M. NAR-SH,

